Touring Through France

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Touring Through France

The Tour de France is currently winding its way through France. This is an appropriate metaphor for us today. We left Spain behind and crossed into France early in the morning. Like the Tour, we are winding through France in stages.

The first stage brought us to Biarritz. This coastal town in the south of France is mostly famous as a retreat for the rich and famous. So why are we here, you wonder? Well, we are just passing through. The bus stopped just long enough for us to walk on the beach and grab a drink. It’s a lovely area, but very expensive. Gas was selling for 1.67 euro per liter. Yes, it’s THAT expensive.

The second stage took us to the town of Bordeaux. It is France’s eighth largest city, but number one in our hearts. We traded in Spain’s big hunk of bread for French baguettes. Bordeaux was our lunch and wine stop. Some had lunch, some had wine, and everyone shopped. The kids were very proud to be able to use their French to shop and buy lunch.

After lunch, we gathered together to go through the St. Andrew’s Cathedral. It is currently undergoing extensive cleaning and the difference from old to new is astounding. Some brave souls hiked up to the top of the Cathedral tower… all 252 steps.

Our third and final stage for the day was to the heart of the Dordogne Valley. Our hotel is in the small village of Sarlat. A true French town, renowned for its medieval architecture. The Dordogne Valley is most noted for foie gras, the liver of ducks and geese. They are force-fed figs and corn, using a funnel stuck down their throats. Not a pleasant way to dine, but it fattens their livers quite nicely. Their pain is our gain.

Also in this area of France, you will find the finest black truffles—not the chocolates, the mushrooms. The French even train the pigs to sniff them out. What a delicacy, and what a way to treat the animals of the area. It’s a wonder the pigs, geese and ducks don’t go on strike.

Dinner tonight featured several of those local ducks cooked in their own fat. What a treat. And guess what was beside the duck… you got it… potatoes!

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Photos

Saint Andrew
The Cathedral of Bordeaux on the pilgrim trail.

Light Rail in Bordeaux
It doesn't go to Watt Avenue.

People Moving
Throngs of people walk the main street in Bordeaux, shopping and visiting.

City Hall
Hotel de Ville, or in English.... City Hall, the center of Bordeaux.

Our Hotel in Sarlat
Hotel de Compostelle.

Looking Out the Window
This is taken out our hotel window, looking south.

Stuffing the Duck
Sarlat is famous for Foie Gras. Only the best ducks reside here.

Comments

[Doug Elliott]

Enjoying the posts...
Paul, I am thoroughly enjoying your posts... My little escape from work (and all that goes with that). Sounds like you are all having a great time, and am surprised to find that I have the travel bug again so soon... Spain looked incredible, and France every bit as beautiful. Looking forward to more. Hope you continue to have safe travels, and look forward to you solving the potato controversy.... Be safe. Doug

[Caitlin Robb]

Hi Dad!
Awesome blogs....one request, though, will you convert your liter gas comments to gallons, so I know what you're talking about? Thanks! love you!